Collector's Edition
"My God—it's Final Fantasy IV!" Jesse's eyes widened instantly. "I thought Sega had forgotten about us! Those bastards, it's been released in Japan for ages!"
Just a few months ago, they were writing in the reader's letter section of a gaming magazine, vehemently criticizing Sega for not releasing the game globally simultaneously, leaving North America players to watch enviously as Japan players enjoyed this top-tier RPG.
Now, all the resentment vanished the moment they saw the actual object.
No, it even transformed into an even more intense passion.
Because what they saw was more than just a cassette tape.
Next to the cassette tape, there lay quietly a beautifully covered CD and a thick, hardcover picture book, as thick as a dictionary.
"Final Fantasy IV: Original Soundtrack?"
"<The Edru World Setting Materials Collection>?"
"Wait, this—this is a bundled sale? Has Sega gone mad?"
A clerk happened to walk by and explained with a smile, "No, gentlemen, this is Sega's celebration. The cartridge is the standard edition, but if you're willing to spend a little more, you can bring home the music and history of this world."
These words seemed to have a magical power, causing the boys' breathing to become heavy.
They had been eagerly anticipating this top-tier RPG for the Mega Drive through various gaming media outlets.
Now, Sega has not only brought it, but also included this unexpectedly generous gift.
This isn't just selling a game; it's inviting them into a complete fantasy world.
"Mom, can I have my Christmas present early this year?"
"Shut up, Tim! I'm giving you my lunch money today, but you're taking this thing home!"
Previously, due to the popularity of Metal Slug, Mega Drive games, whose sales in the North America market had declined, suddenly accelerated, drawing a steep V-shaped reversal curve.
And that curved locomotive is none other than the newly released Final Fantasy IV.
The living room war was reignited by Sega at the most unexpected moment for Nintendo.
Minoru Arakawa's heart, which had just been at ease, was once again in his throat.
He gritted his teeth and waited for players to lose their enthusiasm for the arcade, but what he got in return was an even more terrifying desire to buy another Sega game.
He felt like a boxer facing a combination of punches, having just taken a vicious left hook, and before he could even regain his footing, an even heavier right straight punch had landed squarely on his face.
On Minoru Arakawa's desk.
On one side is the warehouse receipt for the first batch of SNES mainframes that arrived by air.
On the other side, the Marketing Department had just sent over the latest sales data.
Spread out on the table were the sales figures for the English version of Final Fantasy IV. The steeply rising curve was like a sharp knife, painfully piercing one's eyes.
The mainstream gaming magazines next to it were even more enthusiastic about the so-called "collector's edition," with the game cartridge, soundtrack CD, and art book all presented as a coveted trinity on the cover.
"This is a complete scam!" Howard Lincoln slammed his fist on the table, making his coffee cup bounce. "Sega and Square are just fooling us! They only came up with this fancy concoction to appease North America gamers' anger over the delayed release!"
His face flushed red, and he added indignantly, "I just confirmed with Kyoto that this set has recently been released in Japan too! It's not a North America exclusive at all!"
Minoru Arakawa didn't say anything, but glanced at the Lincoln, then at the brand-new SNES that had just been unpacked and brought out of the warehouse on the desk.
He really wanted to nod in agreement and vent his frustration with a simple, "That's right, those opportunistic bastards."
But he couldn't open his mouth.
Because Nintendo is not qualified.
It has been a full year since the Super Famicom (SFC) was released in Japan.
A year! And its North America version, SNES, has only just begun shipping its first batch to North America warehouses.
What right do they have to criticize Sega for being three months late?
The image of the man named Nakayama Takuya involuntarily surfaced in Minoru Arakawa's mind.
Ever since that man took control of Sega, Sega's style of doing things has changed.
Starting with the Mega Drive era, most Sega games were released simultaneously in multiple languages worldwide, thanks to Nakayama Takuya's almost obsessive insistence.
Sometimes, even if the English translation is just a few days behind schedule, he will forcefully postpone the release date of the Japanese version as well, just to ensure that players around the world can get the game on the same day.
This attitude allowed Western gamers and distributors, who had been treated like "second-class citizens" by Nintendo for years, to experience what respect truly meant for the first time.
In contrast, what about Nintendo?
He still maintained that leisurely, patriarchal demeanor.
They always finish the first bite of the fat in the Japan domestic market before thinking about sharing the leftovers overseas.
They released the Japanese version first, and then slowly began to organize people to work on the English version.
Furthermore, the Kyoto headquarters didn't even bother to urge third-party manufacturers to provide English translations.
A well-made game, with its screen full of Japanese kana, was simply thrown onto shelves in Europe and America.
Players don't understand the story?
Can't understand the menu?
That's your problem.
If you want to play, you have to endure it.
Thinking of this, Minoru Arakawa felt his face burning.
He picked up a detailed report on Final Fantasy IV, and Lincoln's earlier complaints now seemed more like a joke.
"Trying to fool North America players?" Minoru Arakawa's voice was a little hoarse. "Take another look at this."
He pointed to a line of small print on the report.
"Although this collector's edition can be purchased separately in Japan, the total price of the soundtrack and art book, when converted to cash, is US dollar 10 more expensive than buying the whole set in North America."
Lincoln's mouth instantly formed an "O" shape.
"In other words," Minoru Arakawa said, emphasizing each word, "North America players got a complete set at a cheaper price. Even if they knew Japan was also selling it, they would only feel that they got a good deal."
A deathly silence fell over the office.
The anger on Lincoln's face was quickly replaced by an expression that mixed with confusion and frustration.
He thought he had caught his opponent red-handed, but it turned out to be a carefully orchestrated hug of that damned Nakayama Takuya!
Even their methods of appeasing players are so meticulously executed that they can even win over a wave of supporters.
Minoru Arakawa tossed the report back onto the table, leaned back in his chair, and felt a deep sense of powerlessness.
He finally understood that this war was no longer simply a game against a game, or a console against a console.
This is an all-encompassing war about posture, sincerity, and business strategy.
He, and the entire Nintendo, adopted the wrong approach from the very beginning.